High Commissioner Daair conveyed the message on Monday 20th February 2023 during a ceremony to celebrate the ‘World Day of Social Justice’ organized by the British High Commission in Rwanda.

The World Day of Social Justice is an international day recognizing the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections.

The day provides a platform for raising awareness of social justice issues worldwide.

Globally millions are still prohibited from living a fair life and through no fault of their own, are deprived of basic rights.

This year’s World Day of Social Justice was celebrated under the theme: ‘overcoming barriers and unleashing opportunities for social justice’.

The event was organized by the British High Commission to raise awareness of social injustice and help foster solidarity. It brought together diverse communities from government, civil society including women’s, people with disabilities, youth, and LGBT+ organizations, trade unions, media and international partners who are committed to creating a just, equitable and fair society.

As he addressed participants of the event, the British High Commissioner Daair said that to make progress societies need a common understanding of the barriers that exist to social justice, and a collective effort to overcome them.

“It is together that we can make a difference. That is why inclusion matters,” he noted.

High Commissioner Daair recalled that Rwanda’s constitution is explicit that all forms of discrimination are outlawed. While the government has set out positive commitments to equality for all Rwandans, he called upon civil society, international partners and government alike to make concerted efforts to ensure social justice is a reality for everyone.

He underscored that differences are among characteristics of society and stressed the need to take advantage of them for peaceful coexistence.

“If you look at the person next to you, you might spot some differences. Some might have a disability, [or] may be from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT] community. You might see differences of gender, colour, culture or religion but all of those differences fall into insignificances against what we have in common,” Daair said.

He highlighted that people are stronger when they work together and reminded the public that there is much more that unites people than what divides them.

“Let us celebrate the beautiful diversity of Rwanda, the diversity of life, and let us commit to ourselves and to each other to contributing to Rwanda’s journey to be more inclusive, to be equal and to be just,” he stated.

Pelagie Muhorakeye, the Chairperson of Rwanda National Association of Deaf Women (RNADW) reiterated the significance of striving for an inclusive society noting that it helps different groups of marginalized people to receive the attention they deserve as they receive services whether from local government institutions, health facilities and other places.

“People should be reminded that people with special needs have to enjoy equal rights and access to opportunities. There are international laws established to protect rights of people with disabilities and others with special needs. We conduct awareness advocacy for such groups of people in rural areas and other places, so that they can also contribute to national development,” she said.

To ensure an inclusive society, Muhorakeye disclosed, the organization offers trainings in districts of intervention to enlighten people with disabilities on their rights, offer trainings on sign languages, meet with communities to ensure pejorative names are avoided and provide other kinds of support so that people with disabilities can feel comfortable and enjoy a dignified life in the society.

She outlined some of the challenges faced by deaf people where there are no interpreters in churches, yet they also need to be nurtured spiritually.

Muhorakeye observed that promoting an inclusive society would be the key towards addressing such barriers.

Dr. Nkurunziza Joseph Ryarasa, the co-founder and Executive Director of Never Again Rwanda, a peace building and social justice organization, thanked the British High Commission for organizing such an event to appreciate diversity and hailed the government for pushing tolerance.

He underlined that social justice is paramount for development and stability and urged the public to join hands to make sure that no one is left behind.

“There is no doubt that it is essential to have inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development programs to make sure that we have social justice within our societies,” affirmed Dr. Nkurunziza.

He also stressed the need to stick to four interrelated principles of social justice namely; parity, access, participation, and rights.

“If one of those principles is not respected, it would lead to frustration within the society and deprivation of opportunities,” Dr. Nkurunziza said.

High Commissioner to Rwanda, Omar Daair stressed the need to strive for peaceful coexistence and equitable social justice.

Pelagie Muhorakeye, the Chairperson of Rwanda National Association of Deaf Women reiterated the significance of striving for an inclusive society.

Dr. Nkurunziza Joseph Ryarasa, the co-founder and Executive Director of Never Again Rwanda hailed the British High Commission for organizing the event to appreciate diversity.

Participants of the event underscored the relevance to work collectively to address social inequalities.

British High Commissioner to Rwanda, Omar Daair (in the middle) with the Executive Director of Never Again Rwanda (left) and the Chairperson of Rwanda National Association of Deaf Women at the event to celebrate inclusion in Rwanda.

Promoting equal access to opportunities irrespective of people's backgrounds was outlined among areas of critical significance to enhance social inclusion.

British High Commissioner to Rwanda. Omar Daair chatting with a participant of the event.

The event took place at the residence of British High Commissioner to Rwanda.

Jeannette Uwimana (left) who was crowned Miss Innovation during Miss Rwanda beauty pageant in 2022 also attended the event.

It was an opportunity to advocate for equal access to opportunities among all members of the society.

The celebration also featured different performances to entertain guests.

It was glamour as British High Commission to Rwanda celebrated the World Day of Social Justice.

The event brought together people from various backgrounds.

Singer Niyo Bosco (left) also joined celebrations of the World Day of Social Justice in Rwanda.